Morning News

• Futures are pointing to a flat open this morning.

• May housing starts to be released at 8:30 this morning along with building permit figures.

• McDonalds Corp. to team up with Sinopec to build drive through restaurants in China.

• Ford Motor Co. expects 10,000 to 11,000 hourly workers in the U.S. to accept early retirement or buyout offers.

• General Electric to pay $390 million to buy Biacore International.

• Japan has ordered pullout of its troops in Iraq.

• Japan reportedly closer to lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports.

• Target Corp. expects same store sales for the month of June to come in at the upper half of its forcast.

• The Carolina Hurricanes are the Stanley Cup champions.

• Crude Oil is $69.73 per barrel.

• Wholesale gasoline is $2.02 per gallon.

• Natural gas pulling back to $6.72 per unit.

• Gold currently $574.00 per ounce.

Budd Foxx